LTO Tape Archive Calculator
Work out how many LTO tapes a media archive needs and the write time, by LTO generation native capacity.
LTO-9 holds 18 TB native (uncompressed — assume no compression for video, which is already compressed). 50 TB needs 3 tapes plus a redundancy copy, and writes in ~35 hours at 400 MB/s. LTO is the cost floor for long-term media archive: cheap per TB, but slow and serial.
Rule / Formula
Work out how many LTO tapes a media archive needs and the write time, by LTO generation native capacity.
About LTO Tape Archive Calculator
Work out how many LTO tapes a media archive needs and the write time, by LTO generation native capacity. LTO-9 holds 18 TB native (uncompressed — assume no compression for video, which is already compressed). 50 TB needs 3 tapes plus a redundancy copy, and writes in ~35 hours at 400 MB/s. LTO is the cost floor for long-term media archive: cheap per TB, but slow and serial.
How to use LTO Tape Archive Calculator
- 1Enter your values into the fields in LTO Tape Archive Calculator.
- 2The result and any pass/fail verdict update instantly as you type — no button to press.
- 3Check the substituted formula and worked example to see exactly how the result was derived.
- 4Copy or note the result for your spec, delivery or planning.
Why use LTO Tape Archive Calculator?
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser with instant, private results — no data leaves your device.
- ✓Built on a published reference: LTO Ultrium roadmap / generation specifications.
- ✓Shows the governing formula and a worked example, so you can trust and check every result.
- ✓100% free with no sign-up, no watermark and no usage limits.
- ✓Works on any device — desktop, tablet or phone — and keeps working offline once loaded.
Frequently asked questions
What does LTO Tape Archive Calculator do?+
Work out how many LTO tapes a media archive needs and the write time, by LTO generation native capacity. LTO-9 holds 18 TB native (uncompressed — assume no compression for video, which is already compressed).
Is my data private?+
Yes. LTO Tape Archive Calculator runs entirely in your browser — your inputs are never uploaded, stored or logged.
What standard or source is LTO Tape Archive Calculator based on?+
It follows LTO Ultrium roadmap / generation specifications. Always confirm against the current official document, as specifications and rates can change.
What formula does it use?+
LTO Tape Archive Calculator uses: tapes = ⌈data ÷ native capacity⌉ + 1 spare; write time = data ÷ drive speed. The tool shows this formula with your own numbers substituted so you can verify the result.
Is LTO Tape Archive Calculator free to use?+
Yes — it is completely free with no account, no sign-up and no usage limits. There is no watermark and no paywall.
Embed LTO Tape Archive Calculator on your website
Want LTO Tape Archive Calculatoron your own site? Paste this snippet into any HTML page — it's free, with no API key or sign-up. The tool loads in an iframe and keeps working exactly as it does here.
<iframe src="https://tooljolt.com/tools/lto-tape-archive-calculator" width="100%" height="640" style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;max-width:680px" title="LTO Tape Archive Calculator — ToolJolt" loading="lazy"></iframe>Related Broadcast tools
Shutter Angle Calculator
Convert shutter angle to shutter speed at any frame rate — the 180° rule and its exceptions, for cinema cameras that think in degrees.
● LiveFlicker-Free Shutter Calculator
Check whether your shutter speed will band under 50 Hz or 60 Hz mains lighting, and get the flicker-safe shutter speeds for your region.
● LiveCamera Battery Runtime Calculator
How long will a V-mount or NP-F battery power your rig? Watt-hours ÷ camera draw → runtime, plus how many batteries a shoot day needs.
● Live